The MCEE 2017 conference and trade show, for the electrical, lighting plumbing, hydronics, and HVACR industries, took place on April 26 and 27 in Montreal.

The trade show alone, comprising 400 exhibitors, welcomed nearly 9000 visitors, including many students from different technical programs. MCEE also offered 23 sessions, some of which are discussed below. Highlight of the MCEE: the new product showcase, which featured more than 120 innovative products.

The session on upcoming changes in the new CE Code was very popular. Speaker Gilbert Montmigny, from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, discussed the 20 most important changes, which will be the subject of much discussion until a consensus is reached. These changes include sections on arc flash protection, electric vehicle recharging, wiring from other buildings and a new way to calculate allowable currents. Also on the agenda: two sessions sponsored by Electro-Federation Canada (EFC).

Jean-Sébastien Bercier, Vice President at Desdowd and President of SoluCharge gave a presentation on issues related to charging stations. These issues are, in Bercier’s opinion, both simple and complicated at the same time. The market for charging stations is experiencing significant growth, but poses a demand management problem. The future lies in changes to the CE Code and management of power by smart charging stations. According to the speaker, the cost of vehicles on the market today poses a significant market barrier.

Rob Nadler and Jeff Beare of Stanpro, responsible for EFC’s research activities, presented a report on future prospects for electrical contractors in Canada http://www.electrofed.com/market-research/ [PLEASE EMBED THE LINK]. Their presentation of the research highlights was followed by an industry panel session on the findings. Panel members included Bernard Brunelle (Franklin Empire), Benoit Meunier (Contact Davis), Patrick Perreault (Britton Electric), and Mihai Pecingina (DND Consultants). Participants were all a little surprised by the importance of online information, and commented on a pre-purchasing trend among end users at different levels. A growing need for technical expertise also got participants thinking. The moderator asked the panelists to summarize this research report in one word, and they cited the globalization of purchases, new technologies, the technical product training, and the future of collaborative work.

Electrician Forum Brought to you by Schneider Electric

As industry experts you know the products you use everyday better than anyone and should have input on what information you receive about products and what could improve them.

Therefore, we want your insight on the biggest challenges or issues you face when installing loadcentres, breakers (CAFI, GFI's…) and other surge protection devices. We ask that you do not provide product specific details but rather your general issues and concerns or any questions that have come to mind while working with these product types. Provide us with your valued expert insight into the issues you have faced so manufacturers can better inform you about the installation and use of these products. Lets generate some discussion that will help guide the Industry.

The invisible impact of powerlines should never be underestimated. In the past decade alone, 19 people in Ontario have lost their lives from overhead powerline contact. May 13 to 19 is Powerline Safety Week, which is meant to inform people across the province to stay vigilant of powerlines when doing work at home or on the job.

"Our work in raising awareness of powerline safety won't be finished until there are zero injuries or lives lost from contact," says Dr. Joel Moody, Chief Public Safety Officer, Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). "All it takes is a misstep or careless error to change the life of you, your colleagues or family."

ABB has an extensive portfolio of eco-efficient solutions and services that can help decouple economic growth from environmental impacts. In fact, over half of ABB's worldwide revenues are generated by technologies that combat the causes of climate change. The company’s goal is to increase this contribution from 57 percent in 2018 to 60 percent by 2020.

The company’s commitment to combatting climate change includes limiting the environmental impact of its own operations. ABB’s current target for climate action is to reduce its own GHG emissions by 40 percent by 2020 from a 2013 baseline.

Canada’s wind energy industry further expanded its installed capacity in 2018, while solidifying its status as the lowest-cost source of new electricity generation. Newly commissioned projects brought total national wind energy capacity to close to 13,000 megawatts (MW). Meanwhile, competitive auction results in Saskatchewan and Alberta confirmed the wind industry’s ability to continue to deliver record-low prices.

The six wind energy projects that were powered up in 2018 added 566 MW of installed capacity — a continuation of steady growth that contributed to an average annual growth rate of 20% per year since 2008.

A joint research team has developed a new type of highly flexible and stable solar cell that could be used in wearable electronics.

The power supply is vital to the safety of wearable electronics. Perovskite solar cell (PSC) has been widely used to manufacture flexible batteries because it is highly efficient, cheap, and easy to use. Perovskite is a material with the same type of crystal structure as calcium titanium oxide.

The flexible substrate is the key factor to determine the performance of PSCs.

FLIR Systems have released the FLIR VP40, a non-contact voltage detector for use in North America designed for field-troubleshooting and verification of residential, commercial, and industrial electrical installations. The VP40 makes it easy to quickly troubleshoot live and neutral wiring to ensure a safe job site.

With its built-in flashlight and CAT IV safety rating, the FLIR VP40 is a must-have for preliminary job site checks for live wiring. The durable, pen-sized tester quickly identifies the presence of AC voltage without contacting wires, even in the latest safety outlets.

Expanding on its extensive product line for motion control applications, Sensata Technologies recently released the Crydom DRMS Series hybrid motor starters.

These new hybrid starters integrate the benefits of both solid state and electromechanical relay technologies to produce a compact device that can control electrical power delivery to motors as large as 4kW. Suitable applications range from access control, packaging equipment, lifts and escalators to industrial process control and machine tooling systems.

Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our Privacy Policy (effective 1.1.2016)
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Kerrwil